Car-uncoupling lever



C. H. EMERS0N..

CAR UNCOUPLING LEVER. APPLICATION FILED OCT-30, 19I9.

1,356,521 Patented Oct. 26,1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET I- C. H. EMERSON.

CAR UNCOUPLING LEVER. APPLICATAION FILED our. 30. 1919.

, 1,356,521. Patented Oct. 26,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

'1): yen for C. H. Emerson,

CHARLES H. EMERSON, OF J'OLIET, ILLINOIS.

CAR-UNCOUPLING- LEVER.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

Application filed October 30, 1919. Serial No. 334,474.

T all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. EMERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Joliet, in the county of Will and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful improvements in ()ar-Uncoupling Levers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in car couplingsand more particularly to the releasing means therefor.

An important object of this invention is to provide a releasing device for car couplings which may be employed without the necessity of using connecting chains, links, or cievises whereby the device is connected directly to the releasing mechanism. of the coupling.

A further object of this invention is to provide a releasing lever for car couplings which maybe readily attached to a car and connected to the coupler of the same withoutany alteration in the construction of the car or the coupler.

A further object of this invention is to provide a releasing device for car couplings which is of highly simplified construction, positive and reliable in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary end elevation of a car provided with a coupler and having the releasing device applied thereto,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the coupler having the releasing device applied thereto,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the coupler having the improved releasing device applied,

Fig. 4: is a fragmentary perspective view of the lifting or releasing device,

Fig. 5 is a detail section throughthe releasing device.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral generally designates a car body which in this case is adapted for carrying freight and is mounted on a truck 11. The car is provided with the usual hand brake operating mechanism 12 which as is usual in all rolling stock is arranged at one end of the car.

As illustrated, a coupler generally desig nated bythe numeral 13 is providedwith a shank or beam 14 and a hollow head 15 having an opening 16 extendingout through its forward end and slidably receiving a tail 17. In accordance with standard construc tion, the tail 1'? is pivoted as indicated at 18 to the forward end of the head 15 and is formed integral with a coupling member or arm 19. The coacting coupling member'19 of. the coupling of the adjacent car is adapted to be positioned rearwardly of themember 19 and in interlocking engagement with the same. A locking block 20 is horizontally plvoted at its upper end and within the casing or head 15 through the medium of a horizontally arranged pin 21. After the tail 1''? is positioned within the head, the locking block 20 is brought into locking engagement with the same by a coil spring 22 having its terminal arms 23 in engagement with the inner side of the locking block and the adjacent portion of the housing. lVhen swung downwardly by the coil spring, the lower end portion of the locking block 20 is brought into engagement with a transverse shoulder 24 which as illustrated in Fig. 3 serves to limit the forward pivotal movement of the locking block. A link 25 is connected at its lower end portion by a pivot 26 to a pair of apertured cars 27 carried by the upper portion of the locking block. The upper portion of the link 25 extends through an elongated slot 29 and is connected to a loop 30. A roller or anti-friction element 31 is rotatably supported within the loop and is adapted to reduce the friction resulting between the loop 30 and a lifting element during the uncoupling of the car.

My improved uncoupling orreleasing device generally designated by the numeral 32 is provided with a bearing portion or rock shaft 33 which as illustrated in Fig. 1 is r0 tatably supported by a pair of spaced hearing brackets 34 secured to the end of the car. One end portion of the rock shaft 33 is bent downwardly in U-shaped formation to provide a handle or operating arm 35 which is adapted to vrock the bearing portion 33 about a horizontal axis. The other end portion of the shaft 33 is bent outwardly to form a lifting arm 36. The forward end portiono'f the lifting arm 36 is provided on its under side with a downwardly extending pivot and retaining pin 37 which is rotatably received within the looped rear end portion 38 of a lifting rod 39. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 5, the rear portion of the lifting rod 89 is bent into U-shaped formation as indicated at 40 and is arranged about the forward portion of the arm 86 and has its terminal looped to provide the member 38. The pivot pin 37 extends at right angles to the lifting arm 36 so that the lifting rod 39 may partake of free movement about the longitudinal axis of the pin 37. With reference to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the free end portion of the lifting rod 39 is slidably extended through the loop and is adapted to be elevated for releasing the locking block 20 from engagement with the tail 1?. During the upward movement of the lifting rod 39 the rear portion of the same contacts with the upper side of the lifting arm 36 and is therefore efficiently braced. As the lifting arm 36 is moved about a horizontal axis, the looped portion 38 partakes of a slight rotary movement about the longitudinal axis of the pivot 37.

In applying the device, the operating arm of the same is positioned adjacent one side of the car as illustrated in Fig. 1 and may be readily elevated for imparting a corre sponding movement to the lifting arm 36 whereby the locking block 20 is moved about its horizontal axis. In providing the posi tive connection between the lifting device and the locking block disarrangement of the parts and probable breakage of the same is eliminated.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

An uncoupling device comprising a rock shaft having an operating arm at one end, a laterally extending lifting arm formed at the other end of said rock shaft, a downwardly extending pivot pin carried by the outer portion of said lifting arm and spaced inwardly from the end of the same, and a lifting rod engaged with the upper side of said lifting arm above said pivot pin and having its rear end portion extended downwardly and inwardly beneath said lifting arm, the portion of said lifting rod beneath said lifting arm being formed with a loop rotatably receiving said pivot pin, said pivot pin being extended at right angles from said lifting arm whereby the lifting rod may partake of a free pivotal movement.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. CHARLES H. EMERSON. [1 s.]

' Witnesses:

THOMAS READY,

W. A. EMERSON. 

